What goes around comes around. Just ask the Flobots. The Denver hip hop outfit believes in creating positive, uplifting messages with its songs and giving back to the community -- now all the band's efforts are paying off.

The Flobots were recently signed to Universal Republic Records, so the group shares the company's prestigious roster with top-selling acts Amy Winehouse and Jack Johnson. That's pretty impressive news for a band that started as a side-project.

A combination of socially-conscious messages, a unique fusion of hip hop grooves mixed with other musical genres, and the act's infectious sound has made the Flobots one of the key bands to break out of the Denver/Boulder music market. Now, the good word on the band is spreading across the country. The group's debut single "Handlebars" is getting played on hi-profile radio stations around the country, and it's the number one most added alternative radio single in the U.S.

"Everyone in the band grew up in Denver and we all went to public high schools here," said guitarist Andy Guerrero. "We're all Denver natives and some of the band members have been friends since they were kids. All of us grew up wanting to get socially involved and wanting to get involved with the community."

The Flobots had several ideas in mind when they set out to create their band. All the players loved hip hop and its culture, but the group wanted to take the urban sounds a step further. The Flobots decided to go with two emcees, a classically trained viola player and a jazz trumpeter for their hip hop mix. The fusion of hip hop, jazz, and classic tones gives this Denver band a distinct street flavor that's creating an army of passionate fans.

"We all come from diverse musical backgrounds, but everybody in this band loves hip hop," said Guerrero. "We all live and breathe it. We're also absorbed with the whole community and culture of hip hop. We really embrace that. We also wanted to create a hip hop group that was rooted in funk, soul and rock n' roll. All our different influences come together in the Flobots and it creates an awesome mix!"

Guerrero says his band definitely pushes the boundaries of the hip hop world.

"Obviously, we're hip hop with two emcees and a turntable, but we have to fight harder to prove we're a hip hop band," said Guerrero. "Having a viola and a trumpet definitely puts our own spin on what's happening with the band. Because the sounds are so unique, we're getting requests for our songs to be played across the country. We've been the number one most requested song on KROQ in LA - and now people across the country are requesting 'Handlebars!"

It's been a good year for the Flobots.

Besides scoring the new radio hit, the band got to play Red Rocks with The Fray last summer, charted on "CMJ" (the "College Music Journal" charts), and got recognition in "Rolling Stone" magazine." This year's only going to get better for the Flobots.

The Flobots also earned heavy radio play on Denver's alternative rock station KTCL. The radio station has helped propel the careers of The Fray, Meese, and Single File. Once the major labels got wind of Flobots' music, they started calling the Denver band. Eventually, the group signed with Universal's Republic label.

"Once KTCL started playing the song, their phones went crazy," said Guerrero. "They played the 'Handlebar' song and the station said they never saw a response like that before. Now they're playing our song next to band's like the Foo Fighters."

Fame and recognition are fine for this group, but the Flobots are also interested in inserting messages about social justice and community into their songs.

"There's this political climate now that makes this a time for activism and social justice," said Guerrero. "We want the Flobots to be pro-active in our community and to make a change. Ultimately as a band, we want to effect change. Being in a band gives you a political and social platform; we want to use that to get people involved and wake them up. That's why we set up the band's non-profit organization."

The Flobots are already involved in several community projects. One of the projects includes band members teaching guitar and recording classes at the Denver Children's Home. However, the group's biggest campaign involves registering young people to vote. The Flobots' street team will be signing up voters at the band's Fox show Friday.

"Handlebars' has been going through the roof," said Guerrero. "KROQ in LA is a testing ground for a lot of alternative music and they break a lot of bands. Their people really went to work on it and it's the number one most requested song. Now all these other stations are playing it and it's the number one most requested song on alternative radio. People are calling in to request it in Chicago and Detroit. We're both humbled and excited. It shows we're not just a Denver thing."

The national buzz about Flobots is on. Universal Republic is gearing up to release the band's CD "Fight With Tools" on May 20. If the name of the CD sounds familiar, it's because it's the same CD the group released on its own. The label decided to re-release the original record with only a few cosmetic changes.

"We're hoping the record helps keep Denver in the national limelight," said Guerrero. "I feel there's this big musical renaissance going on in Boulder and Denver - with bands like DeVotchka and The Fray. I'm hoping that people will see that Colorado has a lot of music to offer."